Page 41 - Sutclifffe-APD_Censorship_PoW

Prisoner of War , Internment Camps and Gibraltar Camp, Jamaica.

Information given by the Swis s Consular Agent i n Kingston (who looked after German
interests) show that the originally very poor condition have been greatly improved,
so the internees now have no serious complaints about their accommodation and
provis ioning . However, there are conflicting reports on whether the provisioning
is adequate, o r whether the internees are forced to spend their own money on
addi tional supplies .

A representative of the YMCA, who came from New York to visit the camp , has also
given an overall satisfactory report . Dr. Hoffmanns {YMCA) reported on the men's
camp , some 2 miles from Kingston, states:-

"It l i es in a beautiful position on a high plateau, with the sea in the distance,
and at the back, tree covered mountains".

Letters by the internees mention the climate :
"The climate is better here . In Nigeria we have a lot of malaria . Here we all
have colds , but that will pass, when we get used to different a ir. It is not cold,
but fresher than Africa.

"The climate here is much better than in the Cameroons or Nigeria . It is cool early
and late , and nights . You can stand the sun without a tropical helmet . We sleep
under mosquito nets. The health is good in general , and mine especially so,"

Dr . Hoffmann reports on accommodation and work : -
"Absolutely no feeling of depression ; airy, bright , a nd scrupulously clean . I saw
flower beds and a fine garden in the hospital a rea , where doctors and dentists have
their clinics {Note : many interned doctors work in the camp). Everywhere there are
tomato plants . Although there is one mess for the Italians and another for the
Germans, both groups live and work together . The Germans mess room serves also as
theatre , concert room and for church services . A lovely stadium is there for sport
i n the open air . "

It can be seen from an internee letter that the internees are housed in great
barracks , some 80 men in each .

Another internee writes about accommodation : -

"We live in airy wooden barracks, built on small cement posts , with W. C. and
showers" .

Others write about occupations in camp : -

"The time I am obliged to waste here is not , however , a total waste; I study various
agricultural books and improve my knowledge . I am also busy learning languages . "

"The captain teaches Spanish, another officer - mathematics and preparatory knowledge
for the school o f navigation. In t he evenings , when it is cooler, we play handball
and football ."

"Our camp theatre recently produced a jolly variety evening to welcome us Africans . "

"I am allowed to receive the local paper . "

Germans in neutral overseas areas have provided books and school books, sports equipment ,
flower and vegetable seeds for the internees in Jamaica . Dr . Hoffmann used funds
available to him on his visit to Jamaica to provide each camp with a piano , and sewing
machines for the women's camp . As mentioned, reports on provisioning are ambivalent .